Basketball

Dec. 20, 2017 | 12:07 AM

Shooting for two: Lakers retire both Kobe jerseys

Former Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant poses with his family during an NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors in Los Angeles, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

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Although Kobe Bryant has been asked many times, he still isn't sure who would win a mystical game of one-on-one between the young Kobe in his No. 8 Lakers jersey and his older self, who wore No. 24 .

In an NBA first, the Lakers Monday night retired both jersey numbers worn by Bryant, the leading scorer in franchise history.

Bryant attended the Lakers' game against the Golden State Warriors for a halftime ceremony at Staples Center, which was packed with fans eager to bear witness once again to the beloved superstar scorer.

Bryant is the 10th player with a retired jersey for the 16-time NBA champion Lakers.

The Lakers typically only retire the numbers of players enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Bryant isn't eligible until 2021, but the Lakers decided not to wait for that formality – and for Kobe, they doubled up the honor.

Bryant switched jersey numbers halfway through his career, neatly dividing the eras of his 20 years with the Lakers.